What is a bone density scan test, and does it require radiation? Is it harmful?

3 doctors weighed in

The bone mineral density test (which is not a "bone scan" which is something entirely different) requires x-radiation. But no, it is not harmful in and of itself. The radiation dose is around 1/10 the dose from a chest radiograph. That said, radiation doses are cumulative, so each dxa adds a little to your total dose accumulation and risk.

In brief:
Yes and no

Yes it requires radiation.

The bone mineral density test (which is not a "bone scan" which is something entirely different) requires x-radiation. But no, it is not harmful in and of itself. The radiation dose is around 1/10 the dose from a chest radiograph. That said, radiation doses are cumulative, so each dxa adds a little to your total dose accumulation and risk.
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